How to Choose Foods that Boost Brain Power

Report This Article

How to Choose Foods that Boost Brain Power

Some foods have the ability to boost brain power.image by http://z.hubpages.com/u/228006_f260.jpg

What we eat affects our bodies and our health. What we eat affects our weight, our hearts, even our mood. Certain foods can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, improved mood, better sleep and even improved brain functioning. It has been discovered that some foods contain specific vitamins or nutrients that will help you to boost your brain power and improve your memory.

Instructions

Step 1

Eat blueberries. Blueberries contain a variety of nutrients such as folic acid, fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries help to improve memory.

Step 2

Eat salmon. Salmon is full of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids help the heart and brain. It has been shown that eating fish high in omega 3 fatty acids once a week reduces the risk of Alzheimer disease. These acids can also improve memory and our ability to learn new things.

Step 3

Eat yellow, orange and green vegetables for beta-carotene and green vegetables and citrus fruits for vitamin C. These vitamins should slow down the signs of aging. Beta-carotene and vitamin C are antioxidants that have been linked to improved memory and reasoning.

Step 4

Eat foods high in folic acid. Folic acid helps to stop neurodegeneration, which is when neurons in our nervous system begin to break down. Take a folic acid supplement and eat foods that contain brewers yeast. Eat foods such as lentils, romaine lettuce, okra, black-eyed peas and black beans.

Step 5

Eat foods that are rich in protein, such as chicken. Poultry is high in amino acids and tyrosine. Amino acids are able to cross the filter between the blood and the brain. When it crosses these barriers, it is converted into dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine and norepinephrine help to keep us alert.

Tips and Warnings

The brain prefers to use glucose for energy (this means carbohydrates).
Foods high in beta-carotene are carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, mangos and spinach.
Foods high in vitamin C are orange juice, grapefruit juice, oranges, papaya, kiwi, strawberries, and red peppers. The worst foods for your brain are processed junk foods. These include sugary cereals, processed breads, cakes, pies and other chemical riddled 'treats'.
When you eat a meal that is heavy in fats, blood is sent to the stomach to help with digestion. This means that there is less blood circulating to your brain and the brain needs blood to function properly.

Things You'll Need

Blueberries, Salmon, Fruits, Vegetables

Who Can Help

About this Author

Cherie Brunetti has been writing and editing since 2005. She loves writing about psychology, child development, and home business. She has had feature articles published with "Us Moms Today" and "You & Me: America's Medical Magazine." Brunetti holds a Master of Science in counseling psychology from Frostburg State University in Maryland.